I know this has been brought up frequently elsewhere and there are varying opinions, however, what is your input on safely shooting .308 out of this rifle? Is Sig customer service correct in telling me this?

There should be no issues shooting .308 out of a 7.62 chamber. It is probably advisable not to shoot 7.62 out of a .308 chamber though due to the higher pressures.

It is the same with 5.56 and .223. you can shoot .223 out of a 5.56 but you would not want to do that in reverse.

 

Supposedly it is opposite with .308/7.62

From what I have gathered pressure on .308 is around 60,000 PSI and the casing is thinner. 7.62x51 is around 50,000 PSI because the casing is thicker (milspec for auto rifles).

 

hmm good to know. I will be looking into this more as well then. I will let you know If I can find any concrete facts.

 

You can shoot .308 all day long.

 

Thanks for the input

 

I have a 716 and have shot both 7.62 and 308 without any problems. Not a single misfeed after a few hundred rounds mostly 308 Hornady Steel Match. Love the power difference from my 516 pistol and the long range accuracy and tight groups. Hope it helps!

 

Just don't try 7.62x39 and you'll be fine.

 

I want a 7.62x54R upper.. RAWR

 

.308 ftf

I took my new 716 to an indoor range to sight it in 10 days ago. I had 300 rounds of brand new, American Eagle .308 150 gr ammo. The rifle would not fire more than two in a row, although it ejected the empty case all but one time. It was not stripping a new cartridge from the magazine. I tried 3, brand new magazines, never more than 5 rounds at a time - same results; after about 30 rounds I packed it in and called SIG. The guy gave me a semi-hard time about using 150 gr ammo but agreed to send a return label, which he did by email. I have not sent the rifle back yet as explained below.

After I talked to the SIG rep, I decided to try 7.62 ammo and went right back to the range (I had stopped nearby to call SIG), bought some American Eagle M1A 7.62 168 gr and Winchester 7.62 147 gr and put another 40 rounds through the rifle. Not one Failure to Feed or Eject with either brand of 7.62.

So, I ordered 200 rounds of Federal 7.62 149 gr and I am going to try that today. I will of course try a few more rounds of the AE 150 gr today after I try the Federal 149 gr. However, if just the bullet weight was the main factor the Winchester 147 would not have worked either - so we shall see and I will report on the results.

Any thoughts on the .308 150 gr? I would like to hear from others as to what ammo they have tried and what the results have been.

 

The guy gave me a semi-hard time about using 150 gr ammo

Just curious, why did he give you a hard time about using 150 grain, too light to cycle?

 

If you look carefully in the manual there is one sentence that says the 716 fires 308. It is not easy to find. In any case my first experience was firing 80 rounds of surplus 7.62 x 51, every round was flawless with very low recoil. I then fired 20 rounds of black hills .308 with the same success. If you don't believe me LOOK at PG21 in the manual. Hi from the new guy!

 

I have the same ammo problems with my 716. Tried Winchester 147gr, Federal 175gr Gold metal both 7.62X51. Niether would cycle and the 147gr would not eject unless the piston was set to position 2. Went back out the next day after cleaning and an operation check with 3 other kinds of ammo. Fedal American Eagle 150gr .308 would not cycle. Remington 168gr .308 Match would not cycle. Hornady 168gr .308 Tap would cycle 6 rounds then stop. I'm calling Sig tomarrow and hope they will sort this out. Before the hate mail starts I'm not a Sig basher, I love each and every Sig I've got, 9 total so far. However, there seems to be a problem with the last batch of 716s produced. I'm certain that Sig will address this problem making all customers happy.

 

Good luck, please let us know how it goes. I have yet taken mine to the range and am hoping it goes well when I do.

 

New here,

I also recently bought a new 716 and experienced the same problems mentioned above. However, In my research I've heard and read that brand new guns that are built to tight tolerances sometimes have a break in period. I was about to send the gun back but decided to put another 100 rounds or so through the gun. I also tore it completely apart, cleaned it, and lubed up the bolt real well. The rifle has now been cycling the cheaper ammo without a problem. When before it would jam after every shot.

Another gun guru I was talking to indicated that he thought I may have to get 300rounds through the gun before it would be properly broken in. The new gun just may be tight.

Just thought I would share.

 

Just like you wouldn't pull a pistol out of a box, holster it, and trust it to perform... that 716 needs a little break-in.

 

Just got my 716 last week. Took it to the local indoor 25 yd range, didn't accomplish much as far a zero, but after reading this post, I bought 5 diffrent types of ammo to see if I would have the same issues. So after shooting everything from Georgia Arms reloads to federal to match grade, all fired without a hitch. About 100 rounds through it and no problems at all. The rifle and every round I fired are more accurate than I am. I am by no means an expert. This is my first rifle, other than the ones uncle sam issued me for the last 16 years. However, my opinion is that the fit and finish are amazing. I don't know if it is the quality of manufacture or the spring that takes up the slack between the upper and lower, but I am very impressed. It has been 16 years since the Parris Island rifle range, but between my time as an 0351 for the Marine Corps, and my years as a pilot for the Army this weapon seemed so much better designed and put together than any M16, M4, M60, SAW, 240G/B, MK 19, M9 that I have ever handled. M2 is timeless and doesn't count. Heck I even like it better than German G36 I got to play with my last trip to the land of tall deserts. If you are thinking about buying this rifle, get it.

If you own this rifle and happen to have a favorite round, let me know what it is. I am trying to stick with 168 gr, because when I get around to putting a scope on this rifle, I am leaning to the Nikon M308 which is matched to a 168 gr round. If you have any advice on another scope that isn't too expensive, the advice would be appreciated.

p.s.
I did clean it before it I fired it. Nothing special, just a normal post field cleaning, prior to firing.

 

Target Master:

Sorry new to forums and dont know the quote function.

Pos 2 is standard fire, that is where the gun should normally be. That is why you were having issues. Pos 1 is for surpressed. Pos 3 is for extream conditions(fouled ect)

Each hole slighly larger than the next, pos 1 is the smallest used for supressed fire due to the lingering pressures in the bore from the supressor at the end.

 

Thats exactly what I posted. Must have been a gas adjustment issue

 

EDIT:
the Pos size and numbers in the book do not match the Pos dots on the valve.

from smallest to biggest they go 3 1 2...I was using the pos order of size, not sigs designation.

Sig does 1(medium) as normal, 2 as (large) adverse conditions, 3 (small) suppressed

 

Recently purchased a 716, fired 40 rds (all the store had left was 2 boxes) of 150gr AE. thru four different pmags (5 rds/each) then 10 & 10 through two C-products stainless steel mags; had multiple FTF and FTE issues. My error was taking it directly to my range and shooting it straight out of the box. In retrospect, should have lubed it somewhat first. I just figured it would run like my BCM/Colt/DD AR's. I was wrong. Unable to shoot it again till next week due to travel commitments, but will apply liberal amounts od froglube prior to firing it ! Hopefully all will go well, if not, it will be traded for an LMT !
The only other sigs I own are 229/226 pistols, and a 239 (personal favorite) and never had an issue with those. This is my first SIG rifle.
Also, did not realize the 716 may require a 'break in' period, which I think is a bit absurd.

 

I honestly don't see how a break in period is absurd for a piece of machinery made to tight tolerances. Your car requires a break in for maximum performance as well as long life. This is due to machining characteristics, metal components need to wear in, through a couple of heat cycles.

I never expect any firearm to do any more than fire and maybe hit the target, fresh out of the box, never have, if it fires every round and hits the target every time, I wonder if it was made to tight specs or maybe it isn't new, not at least until broken in.

Steve

 

As I mentioned, brand new out of the box with all the toys....also, as mentioned, no other rifle/pistol I have owned required a break in...this is my first .308 and my first sig rifle, so unaware break-in was required.... Will do follow up post and range report next week. Hopefully it was 'my bad' that gun was not lubed properly and just 'dry'.

 

I understand. I will bet it is just that it was dry and needed a clean and lube to get her ready. I look forward to hearing more about it, as I too am thinking of getting one.

Steve

 

Finally got to go to the range. Shot Federal Premium 7.62x51 175 grain, hollow point, boat tail matchking and American Eagle .308 150 grain fmj bt. Shot about 80 rounds without a single issue. Used two different p-mags and also precleaned the gun after getting it out of the box. I generously lubed the areas the owners manual suggested using remington oil. Very pleased with the performance.

 

sig 716 ammo problem

I was also having problems with my Sig 716. When I purchased it I took it home, field striped it and lubed it. Took it to the range yesterday and put 5 rounds through it with no problem. Then it wasn't wanting to cycle it, eject it, double feed, and when the magazine was empty the bolt didnt lock back as well. I bought American Eagle .308 160gr. Does anyone have an idea on what exact bullet I should use for the break in period?

 

I was having the same problem. My 716 prefers the 168gr 7.62x51 and 175gr 7.62x51. It didn't work well at all with .308 150gr. It took three cleanings and about 140 rounds before things started to smooth out and the rifle began functioning better.

 

I wish I had some words of wisdom for you guys other than CLEAN THE GUN and make sure your regulator is set to the #2 position!

I brought my 716 home, pulled it apart and immediately cleaned it (and I mean scrubbed everything) with butch's bore shine solvent. Then I wiped everything down clean. After that I smeared everything with frog lube and wiped it down again. Then I hit the moving parts with a little extra, making sure I put a heavy coat on the bolt washers then slid it into the carrier.

Took it to the range...

Dumped 20 rounds of old 180gr cor-lokt I had laying around and 120 rounds of 168gr Ultramax (egads!) through it and the gun ran fine. I proceeded to clean it again, this time only using the frog lube.

Loaded up some Win Brass w/ 43.5 gr of Varget and Win Primers and Sierra 168gr HPBT's and let 100 of them fly.

I've had no issues with either remanufactured rounds, or rounds I made myself.

Just my observation about my rifle. Your mileage may vary.

-Frank

 

ridnruff82,

I agrea with colorado1876, throw some match 7.62X51 in there and see how she does for a mag or two. When you did a function test with an empty pmag did the action lock open when you manually ran the handle?

frankhkp7,
was the ammo 7.62 or .308?
"180gr cor-lokt I had laying around and 120 rounds of 168gr Ultramax"

 

ridnruff82,


frankhkp7,
was the ammo 7.62 or .308?
"180gr cor-lokt I had laying around and 120 rounds of 168gr Ultramax"

The Ultramax was 99% reloaded from once fired Lake City 7.62 Cases
My handloads are made up of 308 Winchester Brass, bullet diameter was .308"

 

Well I took the 716 out to the range to run some 150 grain ammo I bought at a Gun Show, from a place called Ammo Kan, the rifle functioned flawless couldn't ask for a better shooting rifle, next I will try some russian stuff but no hurry, this rifle has not given me one once of trouble.

KK